A few months back, I mentioned that soon some New Yorkers will need to dial a complete 10 digit phone number to reach anyone or any place regardless of whether it is long-distance or local.

Some questioned whether it is a real thing. Well, according to Verizon, if you live in certain New York State area codes you will be required to dial 10 digits for local calls - the three-digit area code first obviously and then the seven-digit phone number beginning on October 24th.

Those area codes include 516, 607, 716, 845, and 914, so yes, those of us in the Southern Tier of New York will be affected. The reason for this change is because the Federal Communications Commission will be adopting the new three-digit '988' number for use across the United States to reach National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline. That service will begin on July 16th, 2022.

TDS Telecom suggests that those in the affected New York State (and other states areas codes affected) "to reprogram automatic dialing equipment and other devices now programmed with seven digits. Residents and businesses should check with security or alarm companies to make sure their systems are programmed to handle the new 10-digit dialing pattern." This affects local calls. For long-distance calls, you will still need to add the '1'to any ten-digit number.

This change will prevent people from calling the new 988 emergency phone line by mistake according to TDS Telecom. Certain areas codes in 36 states and territories will be affected by this change.

via Verizon, TDS Telecom

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